Penn High School to increase security after Jan. threat

by Kelli Cheatham (kcheatham@wsbt.com)

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Penn High School

Tribune File Photo/Margarita Bilbrey

By WSBT News1

ST. JOSEPH CO. — Students who go to Penn High School will see extra security Friday. It all stems from a threat found inside the school in January.

The threat was written in a boys' bathroom stall at Penn High School on January 29. It said "This time its for real. Everyone dies." The date April 18, 2008 was also written under the message.

As soon as the school found out about the threat, administrators say they took it seriously. They also posted a letter to parents on the
district's website, and sent a letter home with students.

P-H-M superintendent Dr. Jerry Thacker told WSBT the school corporation has a plan for incidents like this. Part of that plan involves being open with staff, parents and students.

"We want everybody to know exactly what happened and the kinds of things they will see [Friday]," said Thacker. "So we hope that people continue to refer to the website. We'll interact with the students, we're going to read a letter to the students prior to Friday informing them again of the situation, asking for help."

Thacker also said if students have any information about the graffiti or any concern, they should talk to school staff about it.

Students can expect to see more P-H-M staff in the halls Friday as well as additional school resource officers, extra police and firefighters. School administrators told WSBT the school added more security cameras since the beginning of the year.

If students or parents have questions about school security, they are urged to call the Director of Student and Safety Services at (574) 258-9551 or the Safe School Partner line (574) 258-9536.

Friday, Apr 18 at 1:35 PM I hate school! wrote ...

I am inside Penn High School right now and they want me to tell everyone we're okay! In fact the restrooms seem a litttle cleaner, the lunch lines were shorter and we're watching DVD's! The say they will release us at our regular time. Oh Yea! I got a GREAT PARKING SPOT this morning!

Friday, Apr 18 at 10:22 AM Anonymous wrote ...

10:21 AM AND ALL IS WELLLL!

Thursday, Apr 17 at 10:08 PM PHM Parent Too wrote ...

My son will be going to school. In my opinion, the threat is nothing more than a prank from an ignorant sub-human punk that is enjoying the publicity in his own mind. If you're reading this tonight, you'll remain in the gutter your entire life.

Thursday, Apr 17 at 9:02 AM Blah... wrote ...

This isn't really crying wolf. This is just our local media giving one very sick kid what he/she wanted, attention on her/his terms. I'd be surprised if a shooting actually happened, not because of heightened security but because if someone were really going to shoot their class mates, they wouldn't use the bathroom wall to tell anyone about it.

Thursday, Apr 17 at 8:52 AM Ralph wrote ...

I would not send my child win or lose know matter what the outcome I know my child will be safe at home....

Thursday, Apr 17 at 4:19 AM To Anom at 2:05PM wrote ...

The writer who said that this did not need to be publicized outside the school district is right. I have a student at Penn and it's hard enough to make the decision to send her to school on Friday without having to worry about ideas the press may have put into the heads of anyone who would not have normally cared less. In almost all these tragic situations the assailant takes their own life so if someone feels they have nothing to lose, why not lose it making history. That writer was right.

Thursday, Apr 17 at 2:12 AM PHM parent wrote ...

My son isn't going to school. The way that this world has been going to the dogs, do I really want to risk the "slight" chance that something will happen. OK, car seats are mandatory for that "risk" that you might be in an accident with your child in the car. County governments are mandating where you can or can't smoke because of a "risk". Any risk that involves my children of this type, erring on the side of caution isn't overreacting and has nothing to do with fear. It's keeping them safe

Wednesday, Apr 16 at 9:49 PM PHM Mom wrote ...

I would keep my children home that day. It is not worth the risk!

Wednesday, Apr 16 at 7:46 PM Bill wrote ...

To "concerned mom" an act of violence can happen at your place of employment just as easy as at the school.

Wednesday, Apr 16 at 6:08 PM concerned mom wrote ...

better to err on the side of caution. My daughter will go to work with me on that day!

Wednesday, Apr 16 at 4:04 PM Still say the story was unnecessary wrote ...

I DO HAVE 3 CHILDREN AND THEY ALL ATTEND PENN HIGH SCHOOL! I never that the parents should not be kept informed but there is a big difference between reminding parents that they have not forgotten the threat and are taking appropriate measures and a full blown public panic attack! How many people who have nothing to do with Penn might think of coming in just to make something happen because THEY'VE been reminded? Sometimes less is more and this would have been one of those times.

Wednesday, Apr 16 at 2:05 PM Anonymous wrote ...

Wow! To wolf cryer. You evidently do not have kids. The parents of the kids in Penn Corporation would like to thank Penn for keeping us updated. Does anyone remember Columbine. Those kids were crying wolf too, or so they thought. Once again, thank you Penn for letting parents know what is goign on and keeping us updated.

Wednesday, Apr 16 at 12:22 PM don wrote ...

why not close the school-3 colleges recently did?

Wednesday, Apr 16 at 12:18 PM Anonymous wrote ...

It's a catch 22...I have a student who was ill a lot this semester, and needs to be there, but I am afraid of the slight chance that something does happen. I do appreciate all the school system is doing in light of threats such as this.

Wednesday, Apr 16 at 11:56 AM Mike wrote ...

Garry, you need to have a little trust in the school. They are prepared to provide additional security on that day, did you not read the article! Who will watch your child if they don't go. Will they be home alone, will they go to the mall, will they hang out with other students on the street? If you dont send then make sure they are safe. I would put my trust in the school system. What ever you do may everyone be safe. God Bless You and yours!

Wednesday, Apr 16 at 11:32 AM Stick to news wolf cryers! wrote ...

WSBT 22 Local News Leader! Okay, what's the news here? This was news 3 months ago. At best it's an event that took place in recent history, so are you teaching? Did the police ask you to run it again at this time as a reminder, thus making it a public service announcement, informing people who have a need to know? Or is it just a slow news day and the media needs to shake things up a little bit. All this does is rekindle fear, draw attention and give a few crackpots the notion "Hey! Why not?"

Wednesday, Apr 16 at 10:44 AM Garry wrote ...

AM Mike, if you keep your kids home you lose, but if you send your kids and something really bad happens, GOD FORBID, you really lose!!!!!!

Wednesday, Apr 16 at 10:01 AM Mike wrote ...

It is your choice to send or keep home. If you don't send then it appears you lose. If you live in fear you won't be free. We need to track down these freaks who try and scare us. They need to pay the highest of penalties. These bullies should not be allowed to mix with normal people. It is time for us to demand that parents raise thier children instead of allowing TV and video games to do it. These feaks will think that they did nothing wrong! We need to WAKE UP and take our freedom back!

Wednesday, Apr 16 at 8:51 AM Sue wrote ...

I'm not sure I'd send my kids to school on Friday...

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